OUR SERVICES
Corporate Insolvency
With extensive experience in corporate insolvency and financial recovery, We delivers trusted advice and comprehensive support to businesses and company directors facing financial difficulties.
CORPORATE INSOLVENCY
Signs a Company Might Be Insolvent
If your company struggles to pay its debts, it may be insolvent, and you’re not alone. Thousands of Australian businesses face this every year. The key is acting early and getting the right insolvency advice.
Here are some of the
common warning signs:
- You’re behind on ATO tax payments, superannuation, or employee wages
- You’ve received a Director Penalty Notice (DPN), garnishee notice, or statutory demand
- Suppliers are demanding payment or cutting off credit
- You’re using personal loans or credit cards to cover business costs
- Your cash flow position is worsening month-on-month
What is a Registered Liquidator?
A Registered Liquidator or Insolvency Practitioner is a professional licensed by ASIC to manage company insolvency matters in Australia, including:
- Reviewing the Company’s financial position
- Advising directors on options under the Corporations Act
- Handling asset sales, creditor communications, and investigations
- Ensuring legal compliance and fair treatment of all parties
- Providing clear reporting and transparency throughout
DVT Mcleods’ Registered Liquidators bring a practical, commercial mindset to what can often be a highly sensitive and complex situation. Whether we’re appointed by directors, creditors, or through the courts, our team is known for being responsive, fair and outcome-focused, making it easier for advisors to trust that their clients are in safe hands.
How We Can Help
Whether you’re a director under financial pressure or an advisor supporting a client through difficult times, we offer trusted support, legal guidance, and formal corporate insolvency services to help protect what matters and move forward confidently.
We provide a full range of formal corporate insolvency solutions across Australia, including:
- Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL)
- Court-Appointed Liquidation
- Provisional Liquidation
- Receivership
We also offer tailored and strategic financial advisory solutions to help companies regain stability and avoid liquidation or bankruptcy.
Why Choose Us
For Individuals
- Straightforward advice tailored to your company’s situation
- Clear explanations of your options — in plain English
- Guidance on dealing with the ATO, creditors, and legal risks
- Help managing director exposure and avoiding personal liability
- Professional support from a team that’s experienced and easy to work with
For Advisors
- Prompt, strategic input on complex or urgent matters
A collaborative approach that protects your client relationships - Accurate, court-ready reports and clear creditor communications
- A trusted partner for formal appointments and advisory support
- Deep expertise across industries — with over 50 years’ experience
Act Early, Act Now - Free Consultation
If your company is in financial distress or you’re advising a client who is, the sooner you speak with an expert, the more options you’ll have.
We’re here to help businesses make informed decisions — and take action when it matters most.
Book a free, confidential consultation today to discuss:
- Whether your company is insolvent
- How to respond to ATO pressure or creditor threats
- If you could avoid liquidation and explore other options available
- Whether voluntary liquidation is the right step
Corporate Insolvency is essential in the following areas:
CREDITORS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION (CVL)
CREDITORS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION (CVL)
When a company’s debts outweigh its assets and it is no longer viable to continue trading, a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) offers a controlled and transparent way to wind up the company’s affairs.
WHEN IT APPLIES:
A company must be insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they fall due. Directors and shareholders must agree to place the Company into liquidation.
DURATION:
Typically, 4 to 9 months, depending on the complexity of the Company’s affairs, asset realisation, and creditor claims.
Initiated by the Company’s directors and shareholders, the CVL process places the Company into the hands of an independent Registered Liquidator who manages the sale of assets, investigates financial affairs, and distributes funds to creditors according to legal priorities.
This process helps protect directors by ensuring the liquidation is handled professionally, while providing creditors with confidence in a fair and orderly resolution.
- Transparent, independent management of the winding-up process.
- Prompt and clear communication regarding asset realisation and creditor meetings.
- Fair distribution of funds to creditors based on statutory priorities.
- Professional investigation into company affairs to identify any issues.
- Supportive guidance for directors during a challenging time.
- Confidence that your client’s liquidation is managed professionally with full compliance.
- Regular, easy-to-understand updates to keep you and your client informed.
- Collaborative approach that respects your advisory role.
- Efficient handling that minimises delays and surprises.
COURT-APPOINTED LIQUIDATION
COURT-APPOINTED LIQUIDATION
Sometimes, a creditor may need to take stronger action to recover outstanding debts. In which case they can apply to the court to wind up the company via a Court-Appointed or Compulsory Liquidation.
WHEN IT APPLIES:
A creditor (or ASIC) must demonstrate to the court that the Company is insolvent and unable to pay debts, typically through a statutory demand or default on payments.
DURATION:
Usually, 6 to 12 months or longer for complex cases, influenced by court schedules, asset recovery, and creditor involvement.
Here, the court appoints a Liquidator who takes control of the Company’s assets and affairs. This route is often pursued after informal attempts to resolve debts fail, and while it can be more adversarial, it provides creditors with a clear legal pathway to recover what they are owed.
Our team works closely with legal professionals to ensure this process is as efficient and effective as possible.
- Liquidation managed under court supervision ensuring transparency.
- Objective control of company assets and affairs by an independent Liquidator.
- Access to legal processes to recover debts effectively.
- Timely updates on proceedings and asset realisation.
- Detailed reports to stakeholders on the progress and outcomes.
- Assurance that your client’s matter is handled with legal rigour and expertise.
- Access to expert support navigating court procedures and creditor rights.
- Clear communication channels between liquidators, legal teams, and advisors.
- Professional partnership focused on maximising creditor recoveries.
PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATION
PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATION
In urgent situations where there’s risk of asset loss, fraud, or mismanagement, the courts may appoint a Provisional Liquidator temporarily to protect the company’s assets before deciding on full liquidation.
WHEN IT APPLIES:
Usually requested by creditors or directors when there is urgent risk to company assets, fraud, or misconduct suspected, and before a formal winding-up order.
DURATION:
It is short-term, generally lasting from a few weeks to 3 months, while the court decides the Company’s future.
This appointment acts as a safeguard, preserving the Company’s position while the court considers the next steps. Our experienced Provisional Liquidators act swiftly to stabilise affairs and provide a clear, objective assessment for all stakeholders.
- Immediate protection of company assets to prevent loss or misuse.
- Quick, decisive intervention by a court-appointed Provisional Liquidator.
- Objective assessment of company affairs to guide next steps.
- Reduced risk of further financial damage during uncertain periods.
- Clear advice on the options moving forward.
- Early involvement from experts to safeguard client interests.
- Swift action to protect assets and position clients for the best outcome.
- Transparent updates during a sensitive, time-critical phase.
- A trusted ally for managing complex or urgent insolvency situations.
RECEIVERSHIP
RECEIVERSHIP
When a company defaults on secured lending arrangements, a secured creditor may appoint a Receiver to recover their debt.
WHEN IT APPLIES:
A secured creditor holding a valid security interest over company assets can appoint a Receiver, usually upon the Company defaulting on loan repayments.
DURATION:
Varies widely, often between several weeks and up to 6 months or more, depending on the nature of secured assets and recovery process.
Receivership is focused on the interests of the secured creditor and involves managing or selling charged assets to satisfy outstanding loans. While it can be a difficult time for the business, the process may offer opportunities to restructure or preserve value under specialist oversight.
Our professionals work closely with lenders and advisers to manage receiverships sensitively and effectively.
- Focused management of secured assets to satisfy creditor interests.
- Professional oversight to maximise asset recovery value.
- Clear explanation of the process and its impact on the Company.
- Opportunities to restructure or preserve value where possible.
- Regular reporting on asset sales and creditor distributions.
- Expertise in handling complex secured creditor arrangements.
- Reliable updates supporting your advisory role during high-pressure scenarios.
- Collaborative relationship to explore options beyond receivership.
- Confidence that the process is managed with commercial pragmatism.
